I actually didn't buy a drink package at all! We had a "cocktail" party in the lobby bar and then we were brought out to the dinner location as the sun was going down and that's when they served us the full bar. With that said, very few people actually drank anything other than margaritas or beer... so I don't think it'd be that big of a deal. You could even make the margarita your signature drink. Name it something cute?

What a great idea to have it as the signature drink. So all you had to do was pay for the food? We were told that if we wanted the private reception it would be $46 for the two hour dinner and drinks were included but then for the other 2 or 3 hours we would have to pay for drinks at either $5, $17 per person per hour.

How long are you going to go for? I'm wondering if the 2 hour dinner plus one hour of drinks is enough? Or should we spring for 2 hours of drinks. I wonder if you could do 1 hour before dinner and one hour after. I have no idea what to do! Our ceremony is at 2 pm. So photos should be done by 4, easily, right? 5 seems early for dinner to me, but if we could do cocktails till 6 and dinner 6 to 8 and then dancing with cocktails 8 to 9.

But I also really like the idea of doing "cocktails" (for free!!! right) in the lobby bar. What is/was your timelines?

Its getting so close to crunch time and I'm starting to get stressed!!!

thanks girls, you just made me realize that we probably don't need the cocktail reception all the way til 10:30 pm. even a couple hours should be more than enough time for everyone to drink and dance then we can wander elsewhere on the resort or the hacienda to keep the party going.

we're picking the lowest drink package and telling ppl to get their hard alcohol at another bar. FI is pretty against paying for alcohol at an all inclusive but i think it's our best option for the reception since we couldn't book the disco

Nope, we didn't pay anything extra. They just never closed the bar. We did give the waiter a very nice tip though

As for the timing of your private event... I didn't have ANY choice. I was TOLD what time I could have it. It was 7:30-10:30 if I recall. That was nice that we ended that early too (well, for us anyways). Afterwards we went to the Hacienda and people could dance to the live music if they wanted, and we took pictures. And then it was really nice because we were in bed by 12 (we didn't stay after pictures) and we were up and ready to go really early in the morning for our trash the dress. And of course since our family and friends partied with us all week... we didn't feel ripped off of any time! Plus... I WAS TIRED!

We are having a huge number of people... (about 50 people are booked so far, and we are thinking maybe 60 or 65 will be there.) We are having the religious ceremony which is $1160, and are having the private mixed grill poolside reception which, with alcohol comes to $29 a head. So, how is everything all tallyed up on your bill at the end of the trip? I am assuming it all gets thrown on your credit card?(and I am going to call the credit card company the week before to tell them we are getting married down in Mex. so they do not get suspicious of fraud). I tallyed up the cost of what it is going to be to have the ceremony, and the reception, and maybe a few extras (extra flowers or something) and it comes to about $3300. I am just super scared that if they do not give you a breakdown of cost of things, that they will charge us for whatever they want!! I am freaking out... I have to try to save up some money for grad. school and was hoping to have some left over after the wedding... sorry... Any advice And we are having Claudia as our photographer for our wedding and TTD which is costing a pretty penny, but we would regret it if we didnt get good pictures!!!